ELECTRIC WATER HEATER HAVING INTEGRATED LOCK
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A water heater, comprising:
- a tank having a wall defining a volume therein for holding water;
a first heating element extending through the wall and into the volume, the first heating element configured for connection to a power source and so that, when connected to the power source, a portion of the first heating element within the volume generates heat;
a connector configured for connection to the power source, and a first electric circuit between the connector and the first heating element;
a switch that defines at least two states, wherein the switch is disposed in the first electric circuit and the first electric circuit is configured so that, if the switch is in a first said state, the first electric circuit is in an electrically conductive state between the connector and the first heating element and, if the switch is in a second said state, the first electric circuit is in an electrically non-conductive state between the connector and the first heating element; and
a controller in operative communication with the switch and responsive to a key so that actuation of the controller by the key transitions the switch between the first state and the second state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A water heater has a tank and at least one heating element. A switch is disposed in an electric circuit between the heating element and a power source so that, if the switch is in a first state, the circuit is in an electrically conductive state and, if the switch is in a second state, the electric circuit is in an electrically non-conductive state. A controller is in operative communication with the switch and is responsive to a key so that actuation of the controller by the key transitions the switch between the first state and the second state.
19 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A water heater, comprising:
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a tank having a wall defining a volume therein for holding water; a first heating element extending through the wall and into the volume, the first heating element configured for connection to a power source and so that, when connected to the power source, a portion of the first heating element within the volume generates heat; a connector configured for connection to the power source, and a first electric circuit between the connector and the first heating element; a switch that defines at least two states, wherein the switch is disposed in the first electric circuit and the first electric circuit is configured so that, if the switch is in a first said state, the first electric circuit is in an electrically conductive state between the connector and the first heating element and, if the switch is in a second said state, the first electric circuit is in an electrically non-conductive state between the connector and the first heating element; and a controller in operative communication with the switch and responsive to a key so that actuation of the controller by the key transitions the switch between the first state and the second state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A water heater, comprising:
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a tank having a wall defining a volume therein for holding water; a first heating element extending through the wall and into the volume, the first heating element configured for connection to a power source and so that, when connected to the power source, a portion of the first heating element within the volume generates heat; a second heating element extending through the wall and into the volume, the second heating element configured for connection to the power source and so that, when connected to the power source, a portion of the second heating element within the volume generates heat; a connector configured for connection to the power source, a first electric circuit between the connector and the first heating element, and a second electric circuit between the connector and the second heating element; a switch that defines at least two states, wherein the switch is disposed in the first electric circuit and the first electric circuit is configured so that, if the switch is in a first said state, the first electric circuit is in an electrically conductive state between the connector and the first heating element via the switch and, if the switch is in a second said state, the first electric circuit is in an electrically non-conductive state between the connector and the first heating element; and a controller in operative communication with the switch and responsive to a key so that actuation of the controller by the key transitions the switch between the first state and the second state. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A water heater, comprising:
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a water tank defining a volume; a plurality of electric heating elements extending into the volume of the water tank; a plurality of circuit loops, each circuit loop including a respective electric heating element of the plurality of electric heating elements so that when each circuit loop is complete between a power source and its respective heating element, each circuit loop causes electric current flow through the respective electric heating element to thereby generate heat in the water tank, and also including a respective thermostat that is both disposed adjacent the water tank so that the respective thermostat detects temperature of water in the water tank, and that is configured to complete and disable a respective said circuit loop in response to a detected temperature; and a circuit breaker disposed in at least one of the plurality of circuit loops, the circuit breaker defining a conductive state in which the circuit breaker conducts electricity through the at least one circuit loop and a non-conductive state in which the circuit breaker disables electric current flow through the at least one circuit loop and defining a key-controlled activation lock so that engagement of a key with the activation lock enables conversion of the circuit breaker between the conductive and non-conductive states.
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Specification